’Book them under Goonda Act’

Producers demand firm action against piracy, accuse cops of corruption and inaction

'Book them under Goonda Act'

Producers demand firm action against piracy, accuse cops of corruption and inaction

Angry film producers gheraoed shop keepers on SP Road and in Gandhinagar on Saturday morning for selling pirated DVDs. They also raised slogans against the Ulsoorgate police and accused them of corruption and inaction.u00a0

Led by Rockline Venkatesh, film producer and KFCC vice president, they alleged that the industry had lost Rs 300 crore over the last year due to rampant piracy.u00a0

KCN Chandrashekar, president, Kannada Film Producers' Association
When I was in Mysore recently, I found pirated versions of Kannada films like Vamshi, Junglee and Birugaali. Our industry is still in a growing stage and piracy is sure to cripple our growth. I was shocked to find pirated DVDs being sold for Rs 30 each. These DVDs are being sold like peppermints at bus stops, on footpaths and at railway stations. Why aren't the police taking any action? We should have a special court to tackle film piracy as they have in Andhra Pradesh.u00a0u00a0

Producer K Manju, we heard that a consignment of pirated DVDs had landed in the city on Friday. We decided to get to the bottom of this problem because we have lost faith in the police. They've been turning a blind eye to the problem. I suspect there's a mafia involved, with the blessings of certain corrupt cops. They should be booked under the Goonda Act.
Mariswamigouda, inspector, Ulsoorgate police station.

The film producers should have informed us. They should not have taken law into their hands. We too had information that certain shops on SP Road and in Gandhinagar were selling pirated DVDs. We found pirated DVDs at Sri Sai Enterprises and Keerthana Enterprises, on SP Road. We have booked cases against them.

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